Welcome To Harrisonburg

Some towns nestled in the scenic Shenandoah Valley are quaint and sleepy. Not Harrisonburg.

Trendy, locally-owned restaurants, museums, and art galleries connect historic downtown Harrisonburg to James Madison University, creating Virginia’s first designated Arts & Cultural District. This 10-block walk passes the Virginia Quilt Museum, Harrisonburg Children’s Museum, Harrisonburg Farmers’ Market, Oasis Art Gallery, Valley Turnpike Museum, and parts of two National Historic Districts.

Dine at an array of international restaurants including Thai, Indian, Ethiopian, Greek, Caribbean, and Cuban and sample local wine at the new CrossKeys Vineyard.

Stay at one of Harrisonburg’s countless hotels or historic homes turned into contemporary B&Bs. Relax at the Joshua Wilton House (where Richard Dreyfuss honeymooned in 2006), in the mountain woodlands at Mountain Valley Retreat, or somewhere in between.

But the true value of Shenandoah Valley lies in the great outdoors. Bike the Rocktown Trails, play one of four golf courses, and explore the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.

Join anglers from across the Mid-Atlantic and let the experts at Mossy Creek Fly Fishing help plan your fishing trip.  Hunt and fish in the George Washington/Jefferson National Forest, or enjoy camping and horseback riding in Shenandoah National Park, both within an hour’s drive of the city core.

Take your exploration underground at Grand Caverns or Luray Caverns, the area’s largest cavern, ranked by Backpacker Magazine as a top spot for families to “beat nature deficit disorder.”

Just minutes away from Harrisonburg you’ll find Massanutten Four Season Resort, a sprawling 6,000-acre resort featuring over 2000 condo units in a variety of styles for maximum comfort and relaxation. Massanutten is home to two recreation centers, an indoor/outdoor water park (the largest in the region), two golf courses, a snow sports area for skiing snowboarding, and snow tubing, a brand new spa, horseback riding, fishing, and more.

While exploring, leave time for some lesser-known local favorites. Watch for Old-Order Mennonites in horse-drawn buggies near the historic Silver Lake Mill and Dayton Farmer’s Market, or visit the modern campus of Eastern Mennonite University, where they hold an excellent Bach music festival each June.

Ready to delve deeper into Harrisonburg culture? Stroll around the scenic campus of Bridgewater College—Virginia’s oldest coeducational college, tour the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society’s museum, Crossroads Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center, or plan to come in August during the Rockingham County Fair, named Virginia’s finest agricultural fair 12 years running.

Whatever your adventure, know that you can return to town for the uncomplicated comforts of life: local and international dining, smart shopping, and country charms. Plan your adventure at the Hardesty-Higgins House Visitor Center or request a free Visitor Guide.